Groundbreaking ceremonies for the Caribbean’s newest destination, the $65-million Amber Cove Cruise Center, were just held in the Dominican Republic at the project site on the Bay of Maimon located near Puerto Plata on the country’s North Coast.

The new facility, which represents one of the largest cruise industry investments ever made in the Dominican Republic, is scheduled to open in 2014. The project is designed to re-establish the Dominican Republic’s North Coast as a popular cruise destination. The last cruise ship to call at Puerto Plata was nearly 30 years ago.

The ceremony attracted a number of dignitaries from the Dominican Republic, including President Dr. Leonel Fernandez Reyna and Minister of Tourism Francisco Javier Garcia.

A joint project between Carnival Corporation & plc and the Rannik family of Grupo B&R, the new two-berth Amber Cove Cruise Center will be able to accommodate up to 8,000 cruise passengers and 2,000 crew members daily. The facility is expected to host more than 250,000 cruise passengers in its first year of operation.

Amber Cove will encompass 30 acres of waterfront property and will feature a welcome center with a variety of retail offerings, including a marketplace for locally sourced Dominican crafts and souvenirs, a wide range of themed restaurants and bars, and a water attraction.

Marvel Entertainment’s most iconic Super Heroes have arrived at Madame Tussauds New York in a brand new interactive exhibit. Just in time for the release of Marvel’s The Avengers, Madame Tussauds New York, in partnership with Marvel Entertainment, just opened a new, multi-level experience featuring wax likenesses of The Hulk, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and two new wax figures of Captain America and Thor, as well as the Marvel Super Heroes 4D Experience – a new, short film with thrilling special effects.

Captain America, as portrayed by Chris Evans in the 2011 blockbuster film Captain America: The First Avenger, stands in his patriotic red, white and blue costume, holding his circular shield. Similarly, Thor, as portrayed by Chris Hemsworth in the hit 2011 film Thor wields his mighty hammer, Mjolnir. Both Chris Evans and Chris Hemsworth reprise their roles as Captain America and Thor, respectively, in Marvel’s The Avengers.

The exhibit leads visitors through a long hallway and downstairs into the secret command center to unlock their powers alongside their favorite heroes. Captain America and Iron Man stand at the ready while Spider-Man crouches, about to spring into action and a 15-foot-tall likeness of The Hulk emerges through a wall into the Gamma Radiation Lab. Visitors can stand at the “Contamination Station” to see if they’ve been exposed to the gamma rays that turned Dr. Bruce Banner into his green alter ego. They also have the opportunity to wield the mighty hammer Mjoilnir alongside of Thor as he emerges through a portal from Asgard prepared for battle.

Princess Cruises has announced that for the first time it will base a ship in San Francisco year round, beginning in May 2013. The extensively renovated Grand Princess will first offer a series of Alaska cruises during the summer months from the “City by the Bay,” followed by a schedule of Hawaiian Islands, Mexico and California Coast sailings during the fall 2013 to spring 2014 season.

Last year the 2,600-passenger Grand Princess underwent the largest drydock in Princess Cruises history, adding a host of new features so that passengers will enjoy the same onboard experience as offered by the line’s other newer ships.

“Princess has been cruising from San Francisco nearly as long as our company has been in operation, so we have a rich history with the city, and we are the leading cruise line homeporting there,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “Our Bay Area passengers and travel agents have long been asking for more cruise options from San Francisco and our new year-round schedule with Grand Princess will now give them a great selection of itinerary choices, plus the benefit of sailing on a ship that offers our signature features and amenities.”

During the 2013-14 season Grand Princess will sail roundtrip from San Francisco to:

Alaska – Grand Princess’ first Alaska season features 10-day Inside Passage sailings. The ship will offer 13 voyages featuring the  scenery of Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm, with calls at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria. Cruises depart between May 10 and Sept. 7, 2013.

Mexico – Grand Princess will offer two sailings on a new 10-day itinerary to Mexico, featuring two new ports for Princess – Loreto and La Paz, both in Baja California. Passengers will also enjoy calls at Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. Sailings depart on Sept. 17, 2013 and March 5, 2014.

California Coastal – An increasingly popular Princess itinerary, Grand Princess will take passengers to Santa Barbara, Los Angeles (Long Beach), San Diego, and Ensenada. Four sailings are offered on Sept. 27 and Oct. 19, 2013; plus March 15 and April 6, 2014.

Hawaiian Islands – Passengers can explore each of the main Hawaiian islands on this 15-day voyage to the Big Island (Hilo), Oahu (Honolulu), Kauai (Nawiliwili), Maui (Lahaina), and Ensenada. Grand Princess will offer 12 departures between Oct. 4, 2013 and April 28, 2014.

During last year’s drydock Grand Princess added a variety of passenger amenities, including a completely new Piazza atrium, several new eateries – including Alfredo’s Pizzeria and the Crown Grill – and the line’s first specialty tea lounge called Leaves. Also included in the renovation were a remodeled casino, boutiques and art gallery; enhancements to the Horizon Court, Lotus Spa, and wedding chapel; and the addition of Crooner’s Martini Lounge and a new nightclub, The One5. (www.princess.com)

The economic impact of tourism in Kentucky amounted to nearly $11.7 billion in 2011, Governor Steve Beshear and Tourism, Arts and Heritage Secretary Marcheta Sparrow announced .  The economic impact figure is a 3 percent increase from 2010.

“Despite a tough economy, the Kentucky tourism industry continues to shine,” Gov. Beshear said. “These figures underscore the importance of tourism in Kentucky as well as in every community across the Commonwealth.”

The release of the figures coincides with National Travel and Tourism Week, celebrated May 5-13 this year.

“The state’s ‘There’s Only One’ tourism promotion campaign points out the unique tourism attractions we have in Kentucky, which is part of the reason our tourism industry continues to grow,” said Sparrow, who made the announcement in Louisville. “Tourism supports jobs for Kentuckians and businesses of all kinds across the state.”

The annual survey also showed that tourism was responsible for 169,932 jobs in Kentucky in 2011 – a small increase from the previous year. These jobs generated more than $2.6 billion in wages for Kentucky workers, an increase of $76 million from the previous year. Tourism generated $1.22 billion in tax revenues for local and state governments in 2011, an increase from $1.19 billion in 2010.  All nine tourism regions showed gains for 2011.

Madeline Abramson, wife of Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson, took part in a ceremony with Sparrow and Acting Travel Commissioner Hank Phillips at the Belle of Louisville and presented them with a proclamation from the governor in honor of Travel and Tourism Week.

“We think our campaign and the hard work of the tourism industry will continue to help us grow through 2012,” said Phillips, whose agency oversees Kentucky’s travel marketing. “Kentucky is a great place to visit, and we look forward to getting that message out.”

The report was produced by Certec Inc. of Versailles.  For more details about the economic impact study, including county-level expenditures, visit www.kentuckytourism.com/industry and click on research.

The Department of Travel and Tourism also announced today that 13 tourism sites are being added to the original 31 “There’s Only One” sites announced in January. These sites went through an application process and will be listed on the department’s website. They are:

-       Ale-8-One, Winchester

-       American Printing House for the Blind, Louisville

-       American Saddlebred Museum, Lexington

-       Beer Cheese Festival, Winchester

-       Creation Museum, Petersburg

-       Headley-Whitney Museum, Lexington

-       Kentucky Bourbon Trail, central Kentucky

-       Kentucky Down Under, Horse Cave

-       KentuckyShow!, Louisville

-       Pikeville Cut Through Project, Pikeville

-       Portal 31 Exhibition Mine, Benham

-       The Great American Dollhouse Museum, Danville

-       The Stephen Foster Story, Bardstown

To learn more about the “There’s Only One” listing and other Kentucky Tourism sites, visit www.kentuckytourism.com

Universal Orlando Resort surprised guests with a first look at Universal’s Superstar Parade – one of the largest interactive experiences the theme park has ever created. The daily parade will feature elaborately themed floats that tower above guests, hundreds of energetic street performers and spectacular music and dance performances. The all-new parade will grand open on May 8, along with Universal’s Cinematic Spectacular – a new nighttime show that unfolds across Universal’s central lagoon, taking guests on a journey filled with powerful movie moments.

Corpus Christi Beach and McGee Beach on the bayfront have together been voted as winners of the 2012 Best Restored Beach Award by the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) for the Community Beaches category of the Northern and Western Gulf Coast Region. Corpus Christi is one of only seven cities in the regional categories to receive the ASBPA awards this year.

Each year, ASBPA creates awareness of the value of restored beaches through its Best Restored Beach award. The Community Beaches category is defined as ‘less densely developed beaches backed by low-rise or single-family dwellings.’

For a decade, the ASBPA has recognized communities that have undertaken significant beach restoration projects. Here in Corpus Christi, the City and Texas General Land Office (TGLO) in 2004 co-sponsored the re-nourishment of McGee Beach by placing about 56,000 cubic yards of sand on a 1,800-foot-long section beach. Among other things, this helped widen the beach to about 250 feet. Similarly, in 2001, the City and TGLO undertook a re-nourishment project which resulted in the placement of sand along more than 3,000 feet of beach on Corpus Christi Beach. These projects have made both beaches even more popular destinations for both residents and visitors to Corpus Christi.

“We are honored to be recognized for our restoration efforts to our city’s beaches,” said Derek Herzog, the City of Corpus Christi’s Beach Maintenance and Island Parks Superintendent. He added, “As stewards of our local natural resources, the return on our invested efforts to restore our bay beaches provides positive economic impact. Our beaches are our top attraction for visitors and residents alike. Families find beaches provide them great affordable recreation.”

In addition to Corpus Christi, the other six winners of the 2012 Best Restored Beaches Award in the regional categories are: East Beach, Norfolk, Virginia; Maine Park, Bellingham, Washington; Isle of Palms, South Carolina; Captiva Island, Florida; Kuhio Beach, Hawaii; Sunrise Beach Park, Illinois. The top three “Best of the Best Restored Beaches” in America are West Hampton Dunes, New York; Navarre Beach, Florida; and Presque Isle, Pennsylvania.

In 2010, Corpus Christi’s same two bayfront beaches, Corpus Christi Beach and MaGee Beach, were nationally recognized as Best Restored Beaches.

Three Nebraska City sites and one program will be recognized for their inclusion in the National Park Service’s national Underground Railroad program.

Kathy McKillip, director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development’s Travel and Tourism Division, was on-hand for a May 2,  ribbon cutting ceremony at the Old Freighters Museum, 407 N. 14th St., Nebraska City.

The ceremony, sponsored by the Nebraska City Tourism & Commerce office, commemorated the new Network to Freedom listings in Nebraska. The National Park Service’s Network to Freedom program coordinates preservation and education efforts of Underground Railroad sites nationwide.

Last year, Arlington High School teacher Barry Jurgensen and his students conducted research on sites related to the Underground Railroad. Three of the Nebraska City sites, along with one program, Dr. Sara Crook’s portrayal of Barbara Mayhew, were added to the Network to Freedom program last August. The sites are:

• The Nuckolls Residence, where two slaves, Eliza Grayson and Celia, owned by Stephen F. Nuckolls escaped on Nov. 26, 1958.
• The Majors Residence, the site of the escape of six slaves, owned by Alexander Majors, in 1860.
• Camp Creek Cemetery, where Barbara (Kagy) Mahew Bradway is buried. She and her husband lived in Mayhew Cabin when it was part of the Underground Railroad.

The new listings will complement the Mayhew Cabin, which is already part of the Network to Freedom.

The Mayhew Cabin Foundation recently received funding from the Nelson Family Foundation of Nebraska City to install outdoor markers recognizing the history of the new Network to Freedom sites and creating a driving tour.

NTA members interested in the ever-growing Chinese inbound market received key information during “China Market Insights,” NTA’s Webinar presented by Scott Johnson of Travel Market Insights and Dr. Robert Li of the University of South Carolina.

“Chinese inbound tourism is currently the fastest growing market, bringing 1.1 million visitors to the United States in 2011,” said Johnson, who produces the China Travel Trade Barometer. “China currently is the ninth-leading inbound country, and it’s projected to be third by 2016.”

Johnson and Li said the Chinese market is trending toward more product diversity and niche markets, and Chinese visitors are arriving with higher expectations of Chinese language and services awareness. They advised NTA members to increase education efforts, strengthen their online presence and focus on offering high-quality experiences.

 for Achievement in Trade for “exceptional contributions to U.S. travel and tourism exports in the China market.” NTA officials received the award during the association’s annual Convention, held during December in Las Vegas.

In November 2010, the association opened its NTA Visit USA Center in Shanghai to promote travel to the U.S. by educating both the U.S. and Chinese trade about quality product and best practices, and by linking them with registered tour operators in the United States.

In presenting the award, Isabel Hill, acting director of the Office of Travel and Tourism Industries, cited NTA’s “courage and creativity” in developing its China Inbound Program.

Accepting the award on behalf of NTA were Cathy Greteman, then chairman of the NTA Board of Directors, and Lisa Simon, president.

“China is an incredible growth market for the United States, and NTA is proud of our work to help increase exports through international inbound travel to the U.S.,” Simon said. “We so appreciate the support of Commercial Service, OTTI and the Department of Commerce, as well as those NTA tour operators who are facilitating the leisure group market as part of the MOU between the U.S. and China.”

Due to popular demand, the exhibition Bodies Revealed will return for the second summer in a row to Myrtle Beach’s Broadway at the Beach.

Last year it drew huge audiences and prompted an extended stay. This time, it is set to open on May 28 and run through Labor Day 2012. The exhibition features meticulously dissected real, whole and partial body specimens that have been preserved to give visitors an opportunity to view the complexity of their own organs and systems.

Bodies Revealed takes visitors through a series of galleries providing an up-close look inside the skeletal, muscular, reproductive, respiratory, circulatory and other systems of the human body. Visitors of all ages can view the carefully-preserved specimens, learn about human anatomy, and see the effects that disease and unhealthy lifestyles have on the body. In addition, many organs are displayed to illustrate the damage that can result from over-eating, lack of exercise and smoking. (www.bodiesmyrtlebeach.com)

About Broadway at the Beach
Broadway at the Beach is the largest festival entertainment complex in South Carolina. It features four theaters, 22 restaurants and eateries and more than 100 specialty shops as well as attractions, nightclubs and hotels, all surrounding the 23-acre Lake Broadway. More than 14 million people visit Broadway at the Beach annually, making it the region’s most popular destination. This year, Broadway at the Beach is welcoming 11 new merchants, including new attractions, restaurants, and shops for apparel and home decor items. (www.broadwayatthebeach.com)